Major Maoist attack, senior Congress leaders killed, kidnapped

Kidnapped Chhattisgarh Cong chief, son found dead, toll 27

Update

Raipur, May 26 (PTI): The bullet-riddled bodies of Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh, who were kidnapped by Maoists, were today found along with those of eight others in Jiram valley in Bastar.

With the recovery of the bodies, the toll in the lethal Maoist attack on a convoy of Congress leaders yesterday has climbed to 27, police sources said.

32 people have been injured in the attack, DGP Ram Niwas said today.

The bodies of Patel, his son Dinesh and eight others, mainly security personnel, have been recovered from Jiram valley in Bastar division, the sources said.

The Maoists had kidnapped Patel and his son Dinesh after attacking the convoy of Congress leaders.

Heavy rains in the area is hampering the operations of the security forces.

Senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma was killed and former union minister V C Shukla injured when heavily-armed Maoists ambushed a convoy of party leaders inside a dense forest in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district yesterday.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who arrived here in the wee hours today, said the party cannot be cowed down by such attacks and will continue to move forward.

"It is not an attack on Congress. It is an attack on democracy. But, we'll not fear from such an attack and continue to move forward with enthusiasm," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also met V C Shukla and other injured leaders at a hospital.

"I met V C Shukla and other injured leaders at a hospital. As soon as his condition becomes stable, he'll be sent to Delhi," he said.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will also be visiting the state," Gandhi said.

In the wake of the deadly attack, security has been stepped up at the Congress Bhavan in Raipur and other vital installations in the state.

State Congress Spokesperson Rajesh Bissa said, "The body of Nand Kumar and his son have been found. If the state government would have taken care of security during Parivartan Yatra, then this incident would not have happened. We all are in shock".

Soon after the attack yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and offered all help in rescue and relief operations.

He strongly condemned the "dastardly" Maoists attack on Congress leaders and workers in Chhattisgarh.

The Maoist attack took place in a dense forest near National Highway 202 connecting Chattisgarh with Naxal-hit Bhadrachalam district in adjacent Andhra Pradesh.

Opposition Congress' Parivartan Yatra, comprising senior party leaders, had launched Parivartan Yatra on April 12 in the state where Assembly elections are due by year end.

The Centre has rushed more than 600 CRPF personnel, including elite CoBRA anti-Maoist commandos, to sanitise and take control of the Naxal attack site in Chhattisgarh.

The Centre has mobilised the CRPF personnel to not only take control of the area but also launch search and rescue operations as it is suspected that some people may be present in nearby jungles.

Earlier Report: May 25

Raipur, May 25 (PTI): Striking in a big way, heavily-armed Maoists today shot dead senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma and injured former union minister V C Shukla who is said to be critical having sustained three bullets in an ambush in a dense forest in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur district.

The Maoists also kidnapped PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh after attacking a convoy of Congress leaders in Darba Gati Valley, police said.

A former Congress MLA from Rajnandgaon Udya Mudaliyar was also shot dead and prominent woman tribal leader Phulo Devi Netam, Bastar, wounded by the Maoists who attacked the convoy at around 1730 hours when they were returning from the party's "Parivartan" rally.

There were unconfirmed reports of some policemen and other Congress acitivists being killed in the attack.

Karma, a former Home Minister who was a guiding force behind "Salwa Judum" (anti-Naxal operation by vigilante groups), was surrounded by about 100 to 150 Maoists who peppered his body with bullets.

The Maoists had put up road blocks by felling trees before triggering a landmine blast that hit one of the vehicles in the convoy and opening fire, police sources said.After carrying out the attack, the ultras set nearby trees on fire.

The Personal Security Officers of the Congress leaders returned the fire but soon ran out of bullets becoming sitting ducks.

The Maoist attack took place in a dense forest near National Highway 202 connecting Chattisgarh with Naxal-hit Bhadrachalam district in adjacent Andhra Pradesh.

Opposition Congress' Parivartan Yatra, comprising senior party leaders, had launched Parivartan Yatra on April 12 in the state where Assembly elections are due by year end.

Chhattisgarh Congress media cell president Shailesh Trivedi said it was matter of investigation whether Naxals were involved in the attack. He alleged the state's BJP government did not provide adequate security to Congress' Yatra despite opposition from Naxals.

"Naxals have opposed both BJP's Vikas Yatra and Congress' Parivartan Yatra. However, the state government provided security only to BJP's Yatra and not to the one organised by Congress. Had it been provided security, today's incident would not have happened," he said.

Soon after the attack, Congress activists came out on the streets and staged demonstrations in several districts of the state condemning the Maoist attack.

Chief Minister Raman Singh convened an emergency meeting of the cabinet to discuss the situation arising out of the Maoist ambush and the fate of the kidnapped PCC chief and his son.

In New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi to discuss the situation in the state following the major attack.

Singh spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and enquired if the state needed additional forces to cope with the Maoists and to launch a combing operation.

The Union Home Ministry said it was rushing additional paramilitary personnel to the state to launch an anti-Maoist combing operation.

..Naxals, Maoist nothing but group of criminals..earlier they had some ideology, but it is now limited to extortion,terrorism..In orissa,Jarkhand,Chatisghad etc., companies pay monthly Haftha to operate...Even Tata,Cadbury tea,cocoa estate paying hafta came to light some years ago..there is no moral,ethics,code of conduct left in these cadre..sexual abuse of women cadre rampant..In their own words CRPF jawans are Broiler chicken, last year in one single day they killed almost 80 jawans..Govt atleast should wake up now, its not just a internal issue, already external forces behind the door playing big game..

This Naxalite killing is nothing as compared to killings done by some Politicians like Raja Bhayya of Kundha-UP where he is a Minister. More than fifty alleged murders of innocent people by this Raja Bhaiyya and still out of the reach of Law. Even in Karnataka we have some Raja Bhaiyaas in places like Gokak in Belgaum district.

People like Raja Bhayya are glorified Naxalites and indispensables by Akhilesh Yadav,Mulayam Singh Yadav etc.,This will not come under the ambit of attack on democratic values but strengthening it.....

Maoists' ideology may be good but their method is very bad. Killing innocent people, be it be politicians or common people, is not all acceptable. They should join the democratic process and contest elections. People may elect them if they are sincere as in the case of Maoists of Nepal. This act is really the worst thing that had happened. It seems the State Govt had failed in its duty to provide proper security to the victims. The central Govt should find a solution to the problem of Maoists and eradicate poverty and there should be equitable distribution of wealth. Let us all join together and try to resolve this problem once and for all.

Thease are effects of Social Injustice, bad governance. Poor people cannot approch the court they can catch the Naxals easily to get the justice.Eventhough this kind of Holocaust is not accepted. In our so called democratic country rich and politicians become rich and rich and poor people vice-versa. Untill if there is a fullstop for the politicians greed u or v cannot stop naxalism.

Will your BJP CM's in Chattisgarh and MP, and the BJD government in Orissa allow the congi central government to take action directly?. Please also note that the congi government is Andhra has been successful in dealing with the naxal problem.

Perfect comment...In a country like ours where more than 50% of revenue generated by way of taxes from the public is utlised for providing security to unscrupulous politicians,errecting politicians statues,arrangement for politicals persons public meetings,providing SUVs to minsiters ,their securityguards, lavish residences,to fill the pockets of chelas of politicians in the name of developmental works,single work many billings etc.,how long people have to wait for a fair deal of socialism and democracy?Nobody will support crueality,killings of innocent citizens ,the mute question is whether Jana Lokpal bill comes into existance.Whether CBI is freed from the cluthes of stupid politicians,fast track courts are set up for sppedy disposal of economic offeces,scams,cases of disproportionate assets is also charged on corrupt minsiters,MLAs etc.,If there will be a reforms in many aspects what is said above,I am sure that lot of social imbalance will be eradicated paving way for peaceful living at all levels.

Sachidananda Shetty,I am against to Maoist...and same way I an dead against to greedy Politicians....

Best example - What happened in Karnataka...???? Poor farmers land confiscicated by KIDB under Katta...and then de-notified.Similar ways poor farmers land also taken over by politicians and Biz man in many parts of India.. According your philosophy killing is not justified.Agreed. But what about justice to poor farmers and peasants...??? When they will get justice...???? How many years will take....???? May be after 50-100 years.!!!!!!

Politicians and their partners/cronies know very well that civil suits take 40-50 years...and poor people canít afford go to Supreme court.

This disease ( Naxalism /Maoism ) can eradicated once democratically elected representatives discharge their duties honestly. Till that no peace in our society.

John Lobo, agreed with your point of view too. Person like Katta not existing in Karnataka only. Just look at the Delhi-Noida National Highway Constructed during BSP Mayawati regime. Pune-Mumbai Express Highway Constructed under Congress NCP Sharad Pawar, Bhujbhal & Company regime. Mysore Bangalore National Highway Constructed during Congress S M Krishnaís regime. For that matter only State famous for land acquisition is Gujarat. Modi throws Government money like anything based on farmers demand to keep them happy and to acquire their land immediately. Many times so called farmers take their money on previously agreed market price but after few years they go to Court with new demand. Earlier under Compulsory Land Acquisition Rule, Central or State Government can acquire farmers land even if they have 65% approval from total numbers of land owners. But now rule has been amended to 85% approval. Just take the example of Padubidri Fly over or By Pass case & UPCL environmental issues boiling now. Do we need NH or Power Cooperation in our region, if yes give them land or if not join Naxal force? Take another example of Kudermukh Forest Land occupied by few families illegally but when State Government started removing them Naxals are entered the area!

..we need someone like INDIRA, to lead our country..now a days politicians are spine less crooks who are thinking of looting,elevating their kin & keeth ,they never bother about Nation..Its INDIRA's decission to liberate Bangla from PAK otherwise we would have been in two dimensional constant threat..Punjab is free from militancy..she was close to RUSSIA (which is all weather freind till now) & kept distance from USA (which can not be trusted, which is evident from its Pak & kashmir policy)..we are a respected nation, but now it seems very loosing that image..Even srilanka,maldvives,Nepal,Bangla not respecting our concerns..

Very sad incident, may the good LORD give strength and courage to the families of those who died.They r real heroes, bcoz naxilism is a great threat to INDIA, Thier moto is to terrorise the areas so that they can control and loot the public.Here the state GOVT is a total failure bcoz who ever may be but they r the leaders of our Nation.Systematic arranged sucessful plan by Maoist, every one shd condemn this act since innocent lives hv taken by these Naxals, i hv read the comments ''these people are poor'' but they r not bcoz they hv all kindly of arms and ammunition that means their motto is to 'DIVIDE THE COUNTRY, SPREADING HATERD AMONG PEOPLE.

we must remember they are not against our country. they are against our system. in rural area poor people are treated like animals. we live in city's and still we blame the government for not giving us proper facility. what about the poor people live in rural areas .where they don't even get a basic facility. they are the product of our own system failure.

Perfect comment sir.Our politicians/rulers apathy towards comman man is the cause for all these maladies.When our rulers will understand this and deliver good governance and address the problems of have nots.The act by Maoists is a lawless act to draw the attention of lawlessnees by politicians be it corruption,lack of policies in favour of poor,delayed justice,weak justice delivery system etc.,

Dear Praveen & Prabhu, though we have many system failures but killing somebody is not the answer for our system failure. Donít be sympathized with these cowards those who never hesitate to kill anyone be it Political Leaders or Security Personnel. We have Lakhs of villages where we donít see much development but they never follow the violence path of life. So, itís nothing do with any developmental issues. For any social issues like manhandling or misbehavior with village girls or women, I do agree but again question will be asked why do security personnel manning in these villages? We canít see any Policemen or Central Security Forces roaming around any poor villages unless there was or is violence. I think many people give more importance for loss or damages to any religious structures than human lives?

I agree with you Schidanand Shetty, These Maoists are criminals. Praveen says that they are against the system, but please remember that these thugs on the exterior with their stupid slogans are only providing lip service to the poor and downtrodden and in reality are blackmailing the poor, stealing from them and are active in smuggling, dacoity, prostitution and what not. Tell me what have they done so far for the welfare of the poor other than holding kangaroo courts, branding and killing innocent villagers as informers,burning down villages and stealing the little they have. They should be dealt with an iron fist and finished once and for all. The time for soft handling is now past. They are the greatest threat to our national security and well being of the country.

If PAK terrorists have done that than MMS/Sonia will initiate peace talk with PAKIF Maoist killed common public no one will cry Now Politician are killed will they ignore it or start peace talk with Maoist?Will they ignore like common public killed regularly?Why dont they keep MUM like they kept in Sarabjit or Delhi rape case?

This time Naxals done great job targating policy makers not poor police men.75 police men killed in cold blooded ,state gvt & central govt silent b`coz no human value of poor police or security man`s life ,we spend bellions on military and could not stop naxals .Where we stand infront of China ????

Total lack of security and failure of intelligence on Naxals. Bad strategy of central government is responsible for this kind of attack. The Indian army can wipe out Naxals and it will happen if the central leadrship takes and put the stringent policy in place.We need a special task force exclusively to deal the Naxal menace. It is very critcal and we are losing time if we don't act?.

I remember many in Congress especially motormouth Digvijay Singh has been great sympathizers of Maoists.Is Arundhati Roy going to support Maoist on this too just like she has done before?It's time Congress stop playing with national security issues and tackle terror as terror.

Mr. Stany D'Sa, please understand that the army is not trained for this. This is for the Police to handle, however our police are ill trained and ill equipped. Bringing in the army will only create more problems as they will not be able to distinguish the innocents from the criminals. Please remember that YSR as a CM was successful in crushing the Naxals when the situation had almost gone out of control in Andhra. He set up a special police force called the greyhounds who were given special police training by the experts in intelligence gathering, law and order and also trained by the army in special operations and warfare. Every state needs to follow that example. The approach in fighting the naxals has to be two fold and that is in providing succor and protection to the innocents with a soft hand and crushing the criminals with an iron fist, first by isolating them from the innocent villagers and then going after them. If our government has the will they can do it. For this egos of the state and central governments should be first forgotten and fight should be towards achieving a common national goal.

Pl sack the entire intelligence force of the State and put up them in front of the 1000 MAOIST gunmen to face them with broken lathies in their hands.Intelligence dept should deserve this penalty.For their total failure.

DOGS FED BY CONGRESS ARE BITING BACK.WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FINISH THESE UNWANTED PARTHENIUM HUMANS?ONLY FIRM DECISIONS AND STERN ACTIONS.WE LACK BOTH.ALWAYS IN THE PAST WE HAD SACRIFICES AMONG CADRES. HOWEVER THERE WAS NEVER SILENCE AND INACTION FOR SUCH LONG TIME.

Dear Leslie, what a perfect sentence being used in your comments. These Dogs were barking for several years but now started biting too. So far they bite poor people like common man and security personnel but now just for a change they started biting Politicians that also Congress Leaders which makes big difference in Delhi Politics

I agree with you Mr. Leslie....Our government lack both firm decisions and stern actions, we allow these fractions to grow and now they will act against. Such a deadliest LTTE is muted in Sri Lanka and we can not handle such a small fraction...!!!??? Forget about human rights..go ahead and close such unwanted humans.

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